Barking Sands Capital

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Client assets under management

$43,000,000

Clients

11% high-net worth

Advisors

of 2 employees

Firm type

Supported

1-3 advisors or $200M+ in AUM

Clients per advisor

Low

Average account size

$565,789

About

Barking Sands Capital provides personalized, fee-based investment management and financial planning to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and small businesses. The firm reports managing approximately $45 million in primarily discretionary assets for about 85 clients and offers full financial plans, hourly planning engagements, and ongoing advisory service agreements.

The firm’s investment approach centers on a core-equity strategy of roughly 30–35 holdings using individual equities and ETFs, with a Moderate Growth option that emphasizes dividend-paying equities, bonds, and ETFs; it also offers UMAs and SMAs and uses third‑party managers when appropriate. Investment policy statements are documented for each client, the firm operates with discretionary trading authority under a limited power of attorney, and accounts are reviewed quarterly or more frequently as market or client circumstances dictate.

Distinctive features noted in the brochure include material arrangements with a related insurance agency and advisors who are insurance‑licensed and may recommend or sell annuities and other commissioned insurance products (described as a nominal portion of advisory time), which represents an area of potential conflict not common among peers. The brochure also discloses a prior disciplinary matter—non‑disclosure of an outside business activity—resolved in December 2005 with a monetary sanction and a conditional suspension; the firm reports this as its only disciplinary incidence.

Client services

Financial planning Portfolio management Selection of other advisers

Expertise

General retirement planning General tax planning Cash flow / budgeting College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.)

Fee options

Percentage

$100,000 - $250,000: 1.50% $250,001 - $500,000: 1.25% $500,001 - $1,000,000: 1.00% $1,000,001 - $3,000,000: 0.75% $3,000,001+: 0.50%

Project-based

$250 per hour for limited scope engagements and follow-up implementation work

Other

Account minimum: $100,000 Minimum fee: Minimum annual fee of $1,500 for Advisory Service Agreement; minimum fee for financial plan is $750 Fee-only: Financial planning fees range from $750 to $5,000 (negotiable); hourly planning rate is $250/hour

Main office location

Barking Sands Capital

101 W. Big Beaver Rd., Suite 1400

Troy MI 48084, United States

Number of offices

Most active in

Michigan · Minnesota

Disclosures

Business activities & affiliations

Is active or affiliated with:

Insurance agent

They sell insurance products and may earn commissions on those sales.

Is not active or affiliated with:

Broker-dealer / trader

They provide brokerage services and may earn transaction-based compensation in addition to advisory fees.

Bank

They're affiliated with a bank that may offer its own financial products and services.

Trust company

They provide trust and estate administration services, typically for separate fees.

Fund sponsor

They manage or sponsor investment funds and may earn management or performance-based fees if clients invest in them.

Accountant / CPA / tax prep

They offer tax and accounting services, typically for separate fees.

Lawyer

They provide legal services, typically billed separately.

Real estate agent

They facilitate real estate transactions and may earn commissions.

Other specialized services

They may provide services such as pension consulting or municipal advisory work, typically for separate fees.

Forms ADV

Form ADV Part 2: Client Brochure

Quick links

Website 248-687-1040

Advisors at this firm

Kelly L

Series 63, Series 66

Troy, MI

Barking Sands Capital

Kelly L'esperance is a financial advisor with Barking Sands Capital in Minnetonka, MN, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 20 years of industry experience. Since 2011, Kelly has operated The L'esperance Group, LLC. In addition to advisory services, Kelly is licensed as an insurance agent in Michigan and Minnesota, dedicating a limited portion of time to this activity. Barking Sands Capital provides personalized, fee-based investment management and financial planning to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and small businesses. The firm serves both individual and high-net-worth clients, managing approximately $35 million with a focus on core-equity and moderate-growth strategies implemented through discretionary portfolio management.

General retirement planning General tax planning Cash flow / budgeting College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.)

James L

ChFC®, Series 63

Troy, MI

Barking Sands Capital

James L'esperance is a financial advisor at Barking Sands Capital in Minnetonka, MN, holding the ChFC® and Series 63 designations with 18 years of industry experience. He has operated The L'esperance Group, LLC since 2004. In addition to advisory services, he is involved in a licensed insurance agency that sells and services fixed insurance products such as life insurance and annuities. Barking Sands Capital provides personalized, fee-based investment management and financial planning to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and small businesses. The firm manages approximately $35 million across about 85 clients, typically employing core-equity and moderate-growth strategies with a focus on individualized investment policy statements and comprehensive planning services.

General retirement planning General tax planning Cash flow / budgeting College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.)

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